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Mercury’s Rebecca Allen ruled out for Australia at 2024 Olympics with injury

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Alec Cipollini | Last updated Jul 25, 2024 3:44 PM ET

Just as she was looking forward to representing her home country of Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Phoenix Mercury forward Rebecca Allen will not be able to play for the Opals because of a major injury.

Before Australia headed to the Olympics, Allen suffered a high-grade hamstring injury when the Opals played Canada in their final exhibition on Tuesday. Amy Atwell, who was at the Mercury’s training camp before the 2024 WNBA season began until she was waived, will take her spot.

Australian Opal Bec Allen has been ruled out of the Olympics due to an injury sustained in the game against Canada. Scans have revealed a high grade hamstring injury.

Amy Atwell has been elevated into the team and will make her Olympic debut. pic.twitter.com/tuvBUFTXyL

— Basketball Australia (@BasketballAus) July 25, 2024

In her first season in Phoenix since being dealt in a sign and trade by the Connecticut Sun, she has been in concussion protocol, suffered a lower back injury that kept her in and out of the lineup this month, sustained a hip injury during the preseason and dealt with another back injury at the beginning of the regular season.

For the Mercury, she is averaging 7.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 18 games. Allen has proven to be an impactful player on both ends of the floor and can slot in as a guard or forward when needed, being a big miss when she has been out injured.

Besides Kahleah Copper, Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi who are on Team USA, Allen was the only other Mercury going to the Olympics.

There is no news on a specified timetable for how long Allen will be out and if this injury will roll into the latter part of the WNBA season, at the time of reporting. Phoenix is 13-12 at the Olympic break and will return to action on Aug. 15 vs. the Chicago Sky.

Australia will begin their Olympic run on July 29 in a Group B clash with Nigeria at 2 a.m. PT.

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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